World Trails Ambassadors
Apply to be a World Trails Ambassador! Join like-minded leaders ready to amplify, develop, and inspire strong connections to trails in your community and around the world. Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
World Trails Ambassadors are emerging leaders ages 18-35. Selected ambassadors receive the opportunity to take part in the World Trails Conference in Perth, Australia, training and mentoring on key trail issues, represent your community/country, engage with key stakeholders from around the world, and be a part of the World Trails Network.
Program Goals: Connect, Inspire, Activate
The sustainability of trails for the benefit of all through:
– Increased Awareness of the World Trails Network
– Added Capacity
– Supported Communities
Ambassador Benefits:
- Take part in the World Trails Conference in Perth, Western Australia (19 October to 22 October 2026) including conference registration, meals, and lodging. *You will be responsible for travel costs to Perth.
- Receive training, mentoring on key trail issues
- Represent your community, increase your visibility and bring your voice to the table
- Engage with key stakeholders from around the world
- Be part of an ambassador team
- Receive mentorship from trail leaders and ambassador alumni
Ambassador Eligibility:
- Aged 18-35 years old
- Passion and interest in trails
Ambassador Commitments:
- Two year term
- World Trails Network Task Team Participation, selection of a Task Team and participate for a full two years
- Regular Zoom meets with cohort AND/OR Task Team
- FULL participation in the World Trails Conference (https://worldtrailsconference.org/)
- Support World Trails Day through promotion, stewardship event, or leading a walk
Why World Trails Ambassadors?
Youth, leaders of our future, constitute almost a fifth of the global population and are the custodians of the world’s biodiversity, and of our trail systems. As corridors of opportunity, trails are significant contributors to individual and community health, to rural livelihoods and economies. Trails are essential pathways to human-nature connection and psychological wellness. World Trails Network supports the next generation of trail leaders through the World Trails Ambassadors program.
2024 World Trails Ambassadors
Six World Trails Ambassadors were selected as the 2024 cohort of emerging trail leaders.
The awards were given through a competitive selection process by the World Trails Network and this cohort of Ambassadors had the opportunity to gather at the World Trails Conference in Ottawa, Canada in 2024. This group of leaders, ages 20-35, represent communities across the world, including Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, France, and Lebanon.
Meet the 2024-2026 World Trails Ambassadors
Ekuri Brian Akom, Cameroon
Ekuri Brian Akom (he/him), is a 25-year-old from Cameroon. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography, where his research focused on the threats to biodiversity in Mount Cameroon National Park, home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species. Building upon that, he pursued a Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, specializing in sustainable agriculture in the Mount Cameroon Forest Region. Previously, he had the privilege of working as a project officer and Regional Coordinator at Green Cameroon, a non-profit environmental organization in Cameroon. Currently, his efforts are directed towards promoting sustainability literacy and leading campaigns against single-use plastics in schools across Cameroon. He finds great pleasure in hiking the trails of Mount Cameroon and collaborating with local communities in the surrounding area. He is excited about the opportunity to be part of an incredible team of World Trails Ambassadors. He eagerly look forward to connecting with fellow ambassadors and experts in the field. He is committed to advocating for the conservation and value of trails in Cameroon.
Alaa El Hachem, Lebanon
Alaa is an entrepreneur with a passion for catalyzing positive change through sustainable initiatives. He has proven expertise in rural development, leveraging a background in sustainable tourism and forest management. He is also adept at orchestrating impactful events and promoting outdoor activities that foster community engagement and is committed to balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. He is excited to collaborate on innovative projects driving sustainable development and harmonizing nature and human activities.
Delphine Gimat, France
Since 2012, Delphine has focused on finding solutions to reduce the impacts of tourism on the local population and the environment while keeping the benefits of travel.
She has been working in different countries to gain international insights and expertise in cross-disciplinary fields related to the outdoors and tourism industries. Her holistic, action-orientated approach and background, allowed her to build an international community of like-minded people. Today alongside her personal research project, she supports organisations, destinations, start-ups, and businesses to move forward.
Delphine’s current project is to extend Visorando’s free participative library of walks, outdoor GPS, and community to English-speaking countries. She also mentors expats, independent travelers, and hikers with her extensive “from the field” knowledge of the outdoors and travel industries. She believes in collaboration, and an inspiring leadership to make a change.”
Kayla Jakobszen, Canada
A long-time lover of the outdoors and traveling, Kayla has worked for the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) as a summer trail ambassador for the past two summers and has developed her passion for environmental stewardship. She graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Windsor; during this time she worked for the local conservation authority in outreach and participated in a one semester exchange program in Wales. She also conducted research with the Coastal Research Group on rip currents in Prince Edward Island, analysis of a sandy revetment through QGIS georectification, and permit writing. In fall of 2023 she participated in the model UN conference in Washington DC and helped to establish a native seed garden at her university. In 2022 she discovered the Offa’s Dyke path on the border of England and Wales and completed her first solo trek. Kayla loves to travel and discover the people and places of the world; she is very excited to be a part of the WTN ambassador program to develop her skill set and meet others passionate about protecting the environment and trail systems.
Waldemar Justo, Brasil
Waldemar Justo is 33 years old, born in Parnaíba-PI, has a degree in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Piauí and a Masters in Development and Environment from UFPB. He has served as Head of the Sete Cidades National Park since 2017. He was invited to take over as head of the Sete Cidades National Park with the aim of improving and reinventing the unit’s public use structures. Recently, Waldemar transferred to the renovation of the administrative headquarters, hotel and visitor center. As our strategy to encourage visits to the unit, we implemented signage for long-distance trails and the Caminhos da Ibiapaba trail, connecting the Ubajara and Sete Cidades Parks.
Gunay Murshudova, Azerbaijan
Originally from Qusar, Azerbaijan, Gunay is deeply connected to the natural beauty of her homeland, having grown up just north of Baku. After earning a degree in finance, she pursued a career in HR spanning diverse industries like Mountain Resorts, Retail, and Construction. Despite finding success in corporate roles, her love for nature led her to become one of Azerbaijan’s first female mountain guides in 2017. This role not only allowed Gunay to share her passion for the outdoors with people from around the world but also sparked her interest in how hiking trails can impact communities economically and socially.
Inspired by iconic trails such as El Camino de Santiago and the Pacific Crest Trail, Gunay decided to shift her focus entirely to trail development and community impact in her home country. Since 2023, she has been serving as the Outreach Coordinator for the Caucasus Conservation Corps Program and as a member of the Transcaucasian Trail project in Azerbaijan. In these roles, she blends strategic planning, mapping expertise, and community engagement to drive sustainable trail development across the Caucasus region. Her aim is to empower local communities, ensuring that trail initiatives bring positive social, economic, and cultural benefits to the region.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support of the World Trails Ambassador program:
- Pan American Trails and the Margret and the H.A. Rey Fund.
- Sawyer
- World Trails Film Festival AVL
Interested in sponsoring the World Trails Ambassadors? Read the sponsorship package below to learn more or get in touch at info@worldtrailsnetwork.org.
Read the Impact Report
Meet the 2022-2024 World Trails Ambassadors
